"The Ajekèr has been found", Ebime announced to the council men and women.
A collective sigh of relief washed through the room, the air smelt of hope.
"They are on their way home I suppose?" A decent of the serpent asked the other wordly woman and she answered with a soft smile.
News had gotten to her about the little trouble that Pere and Ona encountered in the human world and was just pulled out of her meeting with Mark to address the unsettled councilmen and women.
She saw no need to start a war in the human world when she could easily take them with the snap of her fingers but the human insisted that something fishy was going on, that was after he threw a tantrum about her sending in her own people to his realm without proper information.
She could smell it off him, the fear hidden behind his confident exterior, something was going on and Ebime had learned to watch out for human clues and they've not failed her yet.
"What has happened?", She asked the distressed human.
"What….?", He tried to lie to the supernatural but one glance at the globe on his huge desk and he decided not to lie to the supernatural creature who her presence could be felt in the room but she wasn't there physically.
"Our people are being killed. By some vile things, Ebime", he sighed tiredly.
"Vile things?", Ebime asked, a look crossing her features so fast that if one didn't watch closely, it wouldn't be noticed.
"Yes. One of which we have never experienced. Some of the enforcers insist it's a vampire. Vampires are a myth but what's the off chance that", he stopped, his dread not allowing him not to finish the blasted sentence.
"They are real", Ebime finished in a tone that didn't indicate if she meant it as a part of his question or as a confirmation that vampires are indeed very real.
"Are you saying that they are real?", The human gasped.
"Keep your world safe, as safe as you can. Until the Ajekèr reaches home, we cannot render much help"
The man sighed tiredly.
"We can only do so much with our Ajekèr in your world, that is a risk we are not ready to take", Ebime finished.
"Send in more of your people if you can. Somehow, your Ajekèr has brought Armageddon on us all and the vampires are drawn to her like moth to fire. My enforcers are no match for those things but they are trying their best", Mark said.
"Thank you, Mark", Ebime excused herself from the discussion, detaching herself from the man's thoughts and being fully present in her own world.
She strode out of her chambers, not stopping to admire the young warlocks practicing spells, not stopping to admire the beauty around her, not wearing her usual smile and not sending a blessing to whoever passed her.
"Azula we must talk", she floated seemlessly into the old man's courtyard where he entertained a young child.
"Ebime. You don't come bearing good this time. What has happened?", The old man stood, inclining his head in respect to the half god.
"Today is not a good day Azula. I have questions"
"I might have answers, perhaps a warm tea for you?", The old man gestured to a teapot sitting on a pristine table with gold linings.
"Give your household Azula, let your children grow in wisdom. Now back to that question, do you feel their presence?", Ebime asked, her attitude different.
"Feel?", Azula went to ask but he caught the glint in the woman's eyes and knew just what she talked about.
"You don't mean?", He asked wide-eyed.
"Yes Azula. Have you kept your findings from the gods Azula?", Ebime snapped at the old man who stayed comically shocked.
Long years ago, precisely four thousand fifty six years ago, when Ebime floated all through Ibuzo, receiving sacrifices and blessing the people, when Ebime was a being without flesh, a war that caused her physical manifestation came upon Ibuzo. They were quick to eradicate the threat and Ebime had since dwelled among them in different bodies but now that threat was back and the half god was deeply displeased.
"I didn't think anything of it!", Azula quickly defended, feeling ashamed of his carelessness.
Ebime sighed, deciding not to roast the old man right there.
"Azula you were supposed to know. They are your relatives after all. You were supposed to know"
"Those vile things are not related to me"
"Let's not be in denial Azula. Vampires are children of Kala's cursed brother. Your clan have connections to them among all the lands. As the head of your clan, you were supposed to know when they are alive", Ebime chastised.
"I didn't make anything of it. I thought they were wiped out. Non of my predecessors ever felt them since after the war"
He paused and seemed to ruminate on what to say next.
"How safe is the Ajekèr?", He asked.
"Not very safe…"
"Mother!", Ebime called out gleefully, beaming at the boisterous woman who smiled warmly at her.
"My child"
Egichi, the goddess herself greeted her child, happy to be in her child's presence but the looming problem not allowing her to relish the feeling.
"What should I do, mother?"
"The young Ajekèr comes along with her sacrifice. Konjhó has made his choice. Her rage consumes her, her origin has made sure of that"
"What are you saying?"
"She will wake with all her abilities unchecked. Her ancestral home will ground her more than the human world. She should get here before she wakes, it will be bloodbath in all worlds. Ishaka wouldn't hold a candle to her ruthlessness"
Ebime looked around, the greenery around her.
"I will go myself then"
"She will drag Ishaka home and his existence must be cut short. May the lands keep you safe"
"Thank you mother", she bowed softly and went to turn her back on the goddess.
"Ebime"
"Yes. Mother"
"If it comes down to it, promise me that you will cut her down"
Ebime gasped softly, the thought of killing the Ajekèr too much for her to bear. It was against her nature, Ebime was hardwired to protect the ruler at all cost, to protect Ibuzo.
"I cannot possibly kill the Ajekèr. A war will break out amongst our people. What are you not telling me, mother?", She asked.
"The Ajekèr is not just a decendant of one clan. The essence of her soul has been pulled from different blood pools and clans. She has more evil in her than you know so you must protect Ibuzo before your Ajekèr if you must"
Ebime stood silent, thinking what she was hearing through.
Egichi was not a deceitful goddess as much as she talked in broken riddles.
If Oyindamola was not only Ceres', whose else is she?
"I promise", she whispered, watching as her mother floated into nothingness.
"The gods be with you", was Egichi's parting words.
"Gather all the clans heads, now. I must address them", she told Azula when she came to.